And the winner is . . . the King’s Speech. So far, at least.

With 12 nominations, the fabulous and very British drama about stuttering King George VI heads the list of contenders for the 2011 Oscars.

But will it sweep the board when the little gold statuettes are handed out in Hollywood on February 27?

Colin Firth is a shoe-in to lift his first Academy Award as best actor. He’s spellbinding as the man who was never destined to be king, right from the first scene when the audience feels his torment as he stands in horror in front of a microphone and an expectant crowd.

Best actress must be an equal certainty for Natalie Portman, who delivers a career-defining performance in the dark and disturbing Black Swan as a tortured ballet dancer spiralling towards madness.

Best film? I don’t think it will be either of the above.

While The King’s Speech, for my money, deserves the big prize, I reckon it will go to the very American, and very of-the-moment drama The Social Network, about the creation of Facebook.

David Fincher deserves the best director prize for making a film about a bloke who builds a website such a compelling, watchable tale, with a bristlingly-good screenplay.

Christian Bale will probably be the other big British success at the Oscars this year.

It will be a surprise if the Welshman isn’t named best supporting actor for true boxing drama The Fighter – and I reckon one of his female co-stars, either Amy Adams or Melissa Leo, will deny Helena Bonham Carter the chance to win best supporting actress for her role as The Queen Mother.

Best animated film must be Toy Story 3. It’s also nominated in the best picture category – how brave is the Academy feeling?

Might they break the mould and give their most coveted prize to a cartoon for the first time? If any animated offering deserves it, then this triumphant ending to the best trilogy in cinema history is the one.

CARL JONES’ OSCAR PREDICTIONS

• Best film: The Social Network
• Best animated film: Toy Story 3
• Best director: David Fincher (The Social Network)
• Best actor: Colin Firth (The King’s Speech)
• Best actress: Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
• Best supporting actor: Christian Bale (The Fighter)
• Best supporting actress: Melissa Leo (The Fighter)

Cast your votes here